1st birthdays (Clicky poll)

Erilu907

Curious on where we stand as a whole on this.[Poll]

jason&robin

We always just have a party at the house with close family and friends. Nothing fancy or over the top. Some good food and cake. A has a July bday so we had a pool out for the kids to play. We have a swingset too so we just send the kids outside to play.

sunnytrees

We tried to have one for Pilar but she was so sick this last week. We had a dinner party and DH made her a cake but unfortunately she was in bed early. She never even got presents, not that she cares, but I had planned to wrap up some old toys of the girls I had stashed away when we moved. I actually feel really bad about it. I think we are going to have to give her more cake, wrap up some gifts and just take pics this weekend!

WonderRed

N's first birthday was low key with only 8-9 close friends and family at my house.  I served chili and drinks and we did that cake smash.  That's all. Even that got overwhelming for him.

Sunflower22

Here in CO it was just for family, however my mom threw a big bash back in Minnesota for her. It wouldn't have been my choice, but you know grandparents...

SkiHorse

We had a party for kids of ages approx. 1-5 at Gymboree Play & Music. I thought it worked really well.  The little ones had a good time, and we had about a half-hour for cake and cider after the gym time.  My only complaint was that Gymboree gives the party-throwers a ridiculously short amount of time to set up.

Erilu907

I'm on the fence as to what to do. We don't have family in town, and just my MIL is coming in for her birthday. Given R's temperament, I think a party much bigger than the three adults might get overwhelming for her, mostly because she doesn't seem to do well with a ton of attention focused right at her from people she doesn't know very well. On the other hand, I'm really looking forward to attending several 1st birthday parties that friends are having for their 1 year olds, and think that she will have a good time too. She's done well in small groups of adults and kids lately where she's been free to do her own thing. I guess I have a few more weeks to think it over.

Mrs.Greeko

We did essentially the same thing for both girls first b-days.  Family and close friends over, with BBQ.  But since I have a gigantic family in town the end result is about 50 people, so it's a pretty large party.  So much fun though.  Glad they were born in warm months since people can be inside or outside.  Not sure how we'll manage a November birthday with so many people!

azuremama

We have a big family, so we did a family party and DS had a good time.  We didn't even invite friends or anything.  I wasn't sure how DS would do, but he turned out to be a huge ham.  We'll probably do the same for DD. 

The first birthday is really a celebration of all of you making it through the first year, so you should do whatever you want to do!

DownToEarthGirl

DS#1 - BBQ type party with friends (mostly childless friends, but about 4 couples with small kids)

DS#2 - Family party with just us, cake, and presents - followed by a bike ride to the local place for ice cream

RyanandManda

Emmaline's 1st birthday fell ON Thanksgiving this year so we let the holiday be her little party.  She loved pumpkin pie so that was enough of a celebration thing.  Although FIL loves to bake and ended up making cupcakes too (which I enjoyed more than DD being a few months pregnant at the time!).  No friends over, no real party anything.  Maybe next year...  maybe not..  hard to say with it being so close to the holiday with a family get together and food she loves anyway ; )

swinsto3

We did a party at the house with friends and family. I love planning parties, so had fun with decorations and desserts, and probably would have done more if the budget had allowed. We did BBQ beef & chicken, and I got an awesome cake from a little bakery close by. DD's birthday is in June, so everyone could play in the backyard or hang out on the deck, and it was just a nice get together. Ash had no idea it was for her, but she loved the smash cake . I'd do it again for kid 2, it was fun and I love hosting, so it's a good excuse.

ckolak

We just do family- only parties (maybe very close friends) til the kid is about 3, then we start inviting their friends.